Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Are The Side Effects Of Valacyclovir?
Question: Sir/Mam,
I am suffering from chicken pox from 2 days. The Doctor on visit adviced me Valacyclovir 1000 mg thrice daily. Whether the medicine is required or the medecine will have side effects. Since, as per family people the medicine does not allow all the rashes to come out completely and it comes again in future.
Also, what are the precautions for food and other thing.
I am suffering from chicken pox from 2 days. The Doctor on visit adviced me Valacyclovir 1000 mg thrice daily. Whether the medicine is required or the medecine will have side effects. Since, as per family people the medicine does not allow all the rashes to come out completely and it comes again in future.
Also, what are the precautions for food and other thing.
Brief Answer:
Adult Chicken-pox
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.
Chicken-pox in adult :anti-viral drug like valacyclovir 1 g three times daily is recommended for 5–7 days .
The severity of rashes varies from one person to another.
Chicken pox usually runs a mild course and is well tolerated in children but it may be more severe in adults and Varicella pneumonia, the most serious complication following chickenpox, develops more often in adults (up to 20% of cases) than in children and can be fatal.
Hence valacyclovir should be started within 48 hours of rash and your doctor has correctly prescribed.
Your family members have no idea about adult chicken pox and should be ignored.
There is no specific diet or food restriction for chicken-pox.
.
Regards
Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX
Adult Chicken-pox
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.
Chicken-pox in adult :anti-viral drug like valacyclovir 1 g three times daily is recommended for 5–7 days .
The severity of rashes varies from one person to another.
Chicken pox usually runs a mild course and is well tolerated in children but it may be more severe in adults and Varicella pneumonia, the most serious complication following chickenpox, develops more often in adults (up to 20% of cases) than in children and can be fatal.
Hence valacyclovir should be started within 48 hours of rash and your doctor has correctly prescribed.
Your family members have no idea about adult chicken pox and should be ignored.
There is no specific diet or food restriction for chicken-pox.
.
Regards
Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Thank u for your reply.
Sir, if the medicine was taken after 48 hrs because I started the medicine on morning 09/01/16 and prominent rashes come to my notice on morning 08/01/16. If earlier to that small rashes would have appeared I have not noticed that, because my fever and bodyache started on the afternoon of 06/01/16.
Sir, if the medicine was taken after 48 hrs because I started the medicine on morning 09/01/16 and prominent rashes come to my notice on morning 08/01/16. If earlier to that small rashes would have appeared I have not noticed that, because my fever and bodyache started on the afternoon of 06/01/16.
Brief Answer:
Adult Chicken-pox and anti-viral therapy.
Detailed Answer:
Rash in chicken pox may appear after 1-2 days of prodrome (fever,bodyache). It also may not be possible to detect the very first few rashes as it may appear on the back.
Ideally treatment with anti-viral drugs like aciclovir (previously used) /valacyclovir should begin within 24 h of the onset of rash as it leads to a 25 per cent decrease in the duration and severity of chickenpox.
However the argument for treating all adolescents and adults is easier, as chickenpox is more severe for them than it is for young children and should be started as early as possible if not within 24-48 hours of the appearance of rash.
Valacyclovir has superior pharmacokinetics and more convenient dosing
schedule than aciclovir and hence preferred .The safety profiles of both valacyclovir (newer drug) and acyclovir are similar i.e remarkably well tolerated and is generally free of toxicity.
Regards
Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX
Adult Chicken-pox and anti-viral therapy.
Detailed Answer:
Rash in chicken pox may appear after 1-2 days of prodrome (fever,bodyache). It also may not be possible to detect the very first few rashes as it may appear on the back.
Ideally treatment with anti-viral drugs like aciclovir (previously used) /valacyclovir should begin within 24 h of the onset of rash as it leads to a 25 per cent decrease in the duration and severity of chickenpox.
However the argument for treating all adolescents and adults is easier, as chickenpox is more severe for them than it is for young children and should be started as early as possible if not within 24-48 hours of the appearance of rash.
Valacyclovir has superior pharmacokinetics and more convenient dosing
schedule than aciclovir and hence preferred .The safety profiles of both valacyclovir (newer drug) and acyclovir are similar i.e remarkably well tolerated and is generally free of toxicity.
Regards
Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
